EchoStar, Hughes Tell Judge
They'll Fight Antitrust Action

WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for EchoStar Communications Corp. and Hughes Electronics Corp. told a federal judge they will challenge a government antitrust suit to block their planned merger.

The companies asked U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle for a speedy trial date, citing their self-imposed January deadline for the deal. Noting that the deadline could be extended by the parties, she offered a late February trial date and gave the...